Activities

Detailed 7 Day Northern Namibia camping trip Itinerary

Day 1:  Windhoek - Okonjima Campsite, Okonjima Nature Reserve

Meet and greet for the Northern Namibia camping trip by our Namibia safari rep. This will be between 08:30 & 09:00 in the morning. Enjoy a short briefing on this 7-day Northern Namibia camping trip.

You will leave traveling north, stopping at small towns along the way. This include Okahandja, where we have time to visit Namibia’s largest wood carving market. The market is run on a local co-operative basis and is one of the best places to shop for true Namibian souvenirs. 

Your Northern Namibia camping trip continue north. You will pass through farmland along the way. You will be aiming to arrive at Okonjima during the middle afternoon. This allows you time to set up the camp and to relax in the shade. 

Enjoy the time in relaxation before heading out on to the property. You will take part in the afternoon’s optional activity.

Okonjima is the home of the Africat Foundation, a specialist conservation. They concern their operations on the African Big Cats, particularly cheetah. 

This afternoon you will be on a tour of the foundation. During the tour you will be able to meet, close-up-and-personal, some of the cheetah. These are animals going through the Africat rehabilitation programme. 

Most of the animals currently living at Okonjima have been rescued. They have been in various desperate situations including being orphans. Some were caught in a trap and rescued before bringing them here. The aim of the rehabilitation process is to attempt to re-introduce them into the wild. 

After our educational tour we will return to our camp and prepare for dinner under the African stars.

The AfriCat Foundation

The AfriCat Foundation came into existence in the early 90’s. It got its official registration as a non-profit organisation in August 1993. The Foundation has since grown. 

African Foundation started out as a welfare organisation. It has has over the years, identified the need to focus on education and research. This is essential to accomplishing our mission – the long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores. 

Your overnight on the Northern Namibia camping trip will be at Okonjima Campsite. It is halfway between the capital Windhoek and the Etosha National Park. This is in the 55,000-acre Okonjima Game Reserve which has some of the best accommodation in Namibia. 

The highlight here has to be the cheetah and leopard safaris. The Campsite at Okonjima is amongst the Omboroko mountains. The 4 exclusive campsites, all share a private swimming pool. Each Private Campsite offers private shower/s with hot water and private flush toilets. There is a washing-up area under a roof with a power point to charge batteries and a light. A viewpoint for sundowners. 

Each campsite has 1 fixed light per campsite for cooking. There is also 1 plug point will be available for charging of fridges, cameras, cell phones etc.

Included today is your lunch and dinner.

Day 2: Okonjima - Namutoni Campsite, Etosha National Park

The Northern Namibia camping trip will have an early start. After breakfast, your Northern Namibia camping trip continue driving north. You will pass through some small towns, making short stops for fresh supplies and fuel. 

Proceed on to our East Etosha, Namutoni region camp where you will arrive in time for lunch. This allows you time to relax and take off the fatigue. later in the afternoon head into the park during the cool of the late afternoon for our first game drive.

Etosha National Park

The Etosha National Park is Namibia’s premiere game viewing experience. This Namibia national park is in the northwest of Namibia and is an area well known for its wildlife. 

Vegetation ranges from dense bush to open plains attracting a diversity of wildlife. In the heart of the Park is The Etosha Pan – a shallow depression that covers an area of 5000sq kilometres. The pan is dry and shimmering for most of the year. They fill up with water after good rains to a depth which is seldom deeper than 1m.

In the dry season wildlife comes to the perennial springs and waterholes. This makes for excellent game viewing around the pan.

Within the park are three large public rest camps. They cater for the more budget orientated traveler. There are several smaller establishments on the outskirts of the park. These are on private land offering a more intimate and comprehensive experience. All these establishments offer excellent value for money.

You will have your night in Namutoni Campsite. This was built into an old German Fort Namutoni Campsite has a unique atmosphere. Within the fort you will find ample facilities. 

From the walls of the fort you can enjoy an elevated view of the King Nehale Waterhole. This allows for great game viewing without leaving the camp. The walls of the fort are also and excellent spot for sundowners. There is no better way to end a day in the bush and Namibia than to marvel at the colors of the setting sun.

The Camp is in the eastern part of Etosha National Park and is accessible via the Von Lindequist Gate. Its nearer to Fisher’s Pan which makes Namutoni a hotspot for birders. There are two restaurants, a craft shop, a pool and a viewing deck. the latter overlook King Nehale Waterhole. This make the fort a great place to relax at lunchtime or after evening game drives. 

The African Fusion restaurant will introduce you to local flavours. The Steakhouse offers popular western dishes. The campsite has a mini supermarket, a curio shop and petrol station. These allow you to stock up on everything that is necessary and nice. 

The camping area has generous spaced sites with plug point. There is a communal ablution facility on either side of the campsite.

Today you will have breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 3: Namutoni - Okaukuejo Campsite, Etosha National Park

Today your Northern Namibia camping trip transits through Etosha National park. You will br heading to East Etosha region – Okaukuejo. This will be a full day’s game driving. 

You will begin your Northern Namibia camping trip early. After breakfast enjoy the cool morning air with game drive through Etosha to Halali camp. The camp location is in the middle of the park. 

Along the way you will visit several waterholes. Look forward to have some splendid views of the massive Etosha Pan. The game viewing is usually excellent and you have the chance to tick off a few new species. These are those that are not easy to see on the Namutoni side of the park.

upon arrival make a stop at Halali for a rest and some relaxed lunch. There is time to visit the Halali waterhole and to make use of the swimming pool and bar facilities. This is before your Northern Namibia camping trip continues. On your way, enjoy more game drive a you go down to Okaukuejo. This is Etosha’s main rest camp and resort where you will check in and set up camp.

Okaukejo was the site of a German fort built in 1901. This now houses the Etosha Ecological Institute. the institute was founded in 1974; the round watchtower is a remnant of the fort.

After your evening meal there are still more chances to see Etosha’s big game at a floodlit waterhole. It is on the boundary of your camp and reachable within a minute or two on foot.

The waterhole is one of the “best game viewing opportunities in Southern Africa”. It is the ideal venue to witness peculiar animal politics. Black rhino, Africa’s tallest elephants, lion and many species of antelope are regular visitors. This is during the cool, dry season as they come to quench their thirst.

All your meals and overnight will be at the Okaukuejo Campsite. Okaukuejo is 17 km from the southern entrance of the park, Anderson Gate. Okaukuejo is the oldest tourist camp in Etosha. It also functions as the administrative centre of the park. 

Okaukuejo is also home to the Etosha Ecological Institute. It is at the western end of the Etosha Pan. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, shop, swimming pool, kiosk and camp sites. 

The camp overlooks a permanent waterhole which is floodlit at night. Here a wide diversity of wildlife congregates. You will interact from lion to rhino to elephant and antelope. 

The spectacle starts at dawn as animals coming in large numbers to quench their thirst. The activity continues throughout the day until late at night. In the early evenings, it is not uncommon to have black rhino, elephant and lion all drinking at the same time.

You will have all your meals from breakfast, lunch and dinner included today.

Day 4: Etosha National Park - Hoada Camp Site, Damaraland

This will be another long drive on your Northern Namibia camping trip. You will leave Etosha and begin the journey south with a short drive to the small town of Kamanjab.

Within this area you have the opportunity of visiting a Himba Village. it is the only traditionally functioning Himba community here. Others are in the far north Kaokoland region of Namibia. 

These tribes-people have migrated here with lifestyle and customs intact. They are following their traditional way-of-life in their village on a farm. The exact location of the site varies as the Himba are nomads and will roam to a new location. 

You will learn about marriage customs and traditional food. Dont forget to learn abot the mysteries of the “Holy Fire” religion.

From here it is a short drive on to The Hoada Community Campsite. This is among beautiful granite hills and mopane trees. Here the hot water system works in combination with the barbecue area. So, whilst your meal is getting ready, your water will be warming up for your shower!

Otjikandera Himba Village

A visit to the Himba village is also a visit to the first registered Orphan Trust Fund in Namibia. The money received for tours to the Himba Village goes into a trust. This is used for food and other necessities for the village members. The project tries to give the local tribe a chance to survive in the western world. It tries to depict the proudness of the people, Himba lifestyle, tradition and culture. This is to ensure that future generations will live and thrive at Otjikandero. It is also to enable the project can continue to grow.

Your overnight will be at the Hoada Campsite. This is 25km east of Grootberg Lodge or 75km on the C40 west from Kamanjab. The campsite is among beautiful granite hills and Mopani trees. Each campsite has its own shower, washbasin and toilette with running water. 

You will have breakfast, lunch and dinner today. 

Day 5: Hoada Campsite - Madisa Campsite, Damaraland

Today your Northern Namibia camping trip starts early. You will head into one of the most beautiful desert regions in Namibia, Damaraland. Start your Northern Namibia camping trip by taking a drive west. This goes via the Grootberg Pass. 

You will then take a detour to the ancient Bushman rock engravings at Twyfelfontein. At this location we will have a local guide to conduct us on a short-guided tour before we set up camp for the night.

Damaraland

Damaraland is described as huge, untamed and ruggedly beautiful.  Damaraland is a scenic landscape of open plains and spectacular rock formations.

Twyfelfontein Rock Art

Twyfelfontein is a World Heritage Site. It boasts one of the richest rock art concentrations in Africa. Thousands of tourists come to this site each year to view some 2, 500 Stone Age rock engravings. The area is home to 17 rock art sites, which collectively encompass 212 engraved stone slabs. There are 13 more sites displaying rock paintings.

Your overnight will be at Madisa Campsite. Madisa Camp is on the D2612 road to Twyfelfontein, a popular route. The camp is hidden between amazing rock formations. The rocks have Bushman Paintings and has privy to an ancient Desert Elephant route. They often get visited by these beautiful giants.

the camp is ideal for the traveler who wishes to camp without compromising the experience. Here you will enjoy exclusivity in this vast and magnificent area of Damaraland Namibia. 

Madisa is a good base camp to explore from. There are interesting sites in the area such as Twyfelfontein and Brandberg. here you can eget to the Petrified Forest and much more. These are all a easy drive and after a day of exploring what better to finish with a swim. You can enjoy your campsite under a blanket of stars.

Each spacious campsite has an exquisite view of the Gauntegab River bed. You can also have a good view of the rock formations. The campsites have individual ablution facilities situated on stilts hidden in the tree tops. The braai facilities also double up as a heater - donkey system. This is for hot running water at each open-air shower. 

The camp sites are shaded by large Mopane trees. They have a low rock wall around each site. The swimming pool and bar area are quite welcoming. This is quite true after a long day and give you a chance to rejuvenate and enjoy your surroundings. 

It’s also a nice place to meet fellow travelers and share tales. This you can do around a communal camp fire at night while the sky puts on a breath-taking show of stars.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner is in today's menu.

Day 6: Damaraland - Swakopmund

Today your Northern Namibia camping trip head deeper into the desert. You will pass Namibia’s highest mountain, The Brandberg, (2573 m). You also got to enjoy more beautiful Damaraland scenery. 

You will make a stop in the small town of Uis. This is an old mining town, and one of the best places to buy semi-precious stones, for which Namibia is famous. Here, rough Amethyst, Tourmaline etc. can are at bargain prices.

Your Northern Namibia camping trip turn west. You will cross the gravel plains on your way to the Atlantic Ocean and the Skeleton Coast. You will meet the ocean at Henties Bay. Your Northern Namibia camping trip first heads north. This is along the coast to visit the seal colony at Cape Cross. At certain times of the year as many as 100,000 Cape Fur seals congregate.

The next destination is Swakopmund, following the Skeleton Coast into Namibia’s premier seaside town. You will aim to arrive in the late afternoon giving us time to explore the town on foot before sunset.

Tonight, we take the chance to sample one of the excellent restaurants. The seafood in Swakopmund is superb. Your guide will offer to organize a group meal in a local restaurant for this evening. Participation is recommended but by no means required.

Dinner is for the client’s own account.

Swakopmund

Swakopmund began in 1892 as the main harbour for German South West Africa. It is often described as being more German than Germany. It is now a seaside resort and the capital of the Skeleton Coast tourism area. It has plenty to keep visitors happy. It has a quirky mix of German and Namibian influences. There are colonial-era buildings and the cool sea breeze make it popular.

Cape Cross Seal Colony

This colony of Cape Fur Seals is one of the largest in the world. It is home to approximately 80 000 to 100 000 of these so-called ‘seals’, which are in fact a species of sea lion. Day trips to the colony are offered and the seals can be viewed from a walkway at a distance of roughly 200 metres.

Your overnight will be at Prost Hotel Swakopmund. Prost Hotel is in the heart of Swakopmund. This gives access to the town’s various and excellent restaurants. Our accommodation consists of 28 en-suite rooms, ranging from luxury, family to standard rooms. All rooms have 43” flat screen TV and own DSTV decoder. you got an electronic laptop safe, tea/coffee station, telephone and hair dryer.

Today you have breakfast and lunch is in. 

Day 7: Swakopmund - Windhoek

This is the last day of your Northern Namibia camping trip. You will be driving back from Swakopmund to Windhoek. The drive back to Windhoek today will take about 4 and a half hours. 

You will leave around lunch-time. This gives you time to spend the morning relaxing in Swakopmund. Swakopmund has many superb shops and a good stretch of beach though the Atlantic here is quite cold. There is also an open-air curio market. There is also a good museum and the Namibian National Marine Aquarium in Swakopmund.

There are various optional activities that you can have here. These include aeroplane and microlight flights over the desert. There are scenic drives, fishing trips both from the beach or in a boat. You can enjoy four-wheel motorcycle (quad bike) trips into the desert. this can also go over the sand dunes around Swakopmund.

Go sand boarding trips also in the dunes, skydiving or surfing. Avian lovers can enjoy bird-watching and many other activities are available.

The guide will discuss all the possible options with you before you reach Swakopmund.  He will offer to make bookings in advance of your arrival. (N.B. All extra activities and excursions in Swakopmund are subject to availability. They are at the client’s own risk and expense).

This is the last day of our trip and after lunch we will transfer back to the capital city. You will have a drop off at your accommodation in the late afternoon / early evening.

Included today in your meal plan is breakfast and lunch.

---------- End of Northern Namibia Camping Trip ----------

7 Day Northern Namibia Camping Trip Cost

Included in the 7 Day Northern Namibia Camping Trip Cost

• Transport in a custom-built safari vehicle (no air-conditioning)
• Accommodation and camping as per itinerary
• National park & site entry fees
• Activities as per the program
• Meals as per itinerary (B=breakfast L=lunch D=dinner)
• Services of an English-speaking guide & camp assistant
• Pick up/drop off within Windhoek city limits

Not Included in 7 Day Northern Namibia Camping trip

• Drinks snacks
• Sleeping bag
• Optional activities

What to Carry on 7 Day Northern Namibia Camping Trip

• light and heavy clothing
• hat
• sun glasses
• Sun screen
• comfortable hiking shoes
• sandals

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